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Too many people who are HIV positive in Zambia die because they get TB and they believe they are dying of "AIDS" and don't come forward for help. We can change that!

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Categories

  • Arts/Culture/Heritage Arts/​Culture/​Heritage
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Human Rights/Advocacy Human Rights/​Advocacy
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other

    Situation

    TB is by far the most common immediate cause of death in HIV positive people in Southern Africa. HIV disables the immune system, unleashing existing TB infection (a third of the world's population and probably half the population in a TB-endemic area such as this, will be infected with TB but it is controlled as long as the immune system is strong). Furthermore, TB can accelerate the progression of HIV to full blown AIDS, as the replication rate of the HIV virus may be increased during the active phase of TB. After treatment for TB, the virus replication rate slows back down to the pre-TB rate. It is estimated that up to two million people in Zambia are HIV positive and thus vulnerable to active TB. Levels of HIV infection are as high as 20% in some of the proposed project areas. NGOs in Zambia have rightly focused on HIV with an emphasis on palliative care and providing prevention messages. Everywhere you go you will find the media (posters, murals, radio, press, TV) talking about prevention, ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful, use a Condom), myth-busting messages to reduce stigma and helplines for people living with HIV (PLWH) and those caring for them. However although current estimates are that 60% of people with HIV develop active TB, there is no similar media campaigns about TB. It is vital that people can recognise the symptoms early and go for treatment, otherwise there is a high probability of death within weeks. There is poor community awareness that TB can be cured in individuals who are HIV positive; and that TB treatment is necessary for the immediate maintenance of life while HIV-retarding anti-retrovirals (ARVs) are necessary for longer-term survival. These messages are important to counter fatalistic apathy by individuals believing that ‘AIDS’ equals death and so failing to seek medical assistance. Furthermore, the patients’ voice is poorly organised and little heard in the delivery and coordination of TB and HIV services. ARVs are gradually becoming available at low cost in Zambia – but many people are not diagnosed as HIV positive until they become ill with TB (which can kill extremely quickly in someone who is HIV positive). The more people realise that it is worth accessing TB services, the more they will get the chance not only of a few more years live through being cured of TB, but then an even longer life through access to ARVs. This project aims to reduce the number of disadvantaged people, particularly those with HIV, that die unnecessarily of TB, by raising awareness of its symptoms, treatment and how to access TB services. It will: - Provide information through; theatre; door-to-door campaigns; radio campaigns; focus group discussions; distribution of leaflets and posters with simple messages: the main TB symptoms, what to do if you have symptoms and that TB can be cured – even in HIV positive people. - Train volunteers to support patients during diagnosis, decreasing the numbers who drop out during this difficult process and also to support patients through treatment, increasing the cure rate. - Increase the efficacy of treatment supporters and health personnel working in TB/HIV through training in the issues around co-infection. Mobilise patients by forming patients groups, developing their advocacy skills and supporting advocacy activities. This is a simple case of helping Zambian people help themselves. The project will cost approximately £100,000 per year and will need to run for 5 years to make a real impact. Please help.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Arts/Culture/Heritage Arts/​Culture/​Heritage
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Human Rights/Advocacy Human Rights/​Advocacy
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other